The sexy archaeologist in another grand adventure.
The gameplay mainly centers around lots of platforming and puzzle solving, with some occasional combat. The platforming and puzzles are the main highlights of the game, as well as the rest of the series. You'll be doing alot of climbing, jumping, ledge climbing, and swinging. The levels are straight forward for the most part, but to access certain areas you'll have to solve the game's many various puzzles. Some can range from being pretty simple moving blocks on to switches to clever platform-based puzzles. But for the most part the puzzles shouldn't be too nerve racking for you to solve. The combat in here isn't as exciting as the platforming puzzles. But the series was never known for having a heavy emphasis on combat.
There are couple weapons you can carry throughout the game, but there isn't alot in terms of variety. The AI you face can soak up alot of bullets (which is strange considering you're facing humans and occasional animals) and each different weapon doesn't cause any more damage than your pistols with the exception of grenades, but you don't really need them either. So you'll pretty much get through the game just fine with your pistols. The game also includes a few bosses, but they are easy for the most part and relatively unexciting.
In case you do get stuck, your binoculars are outfitted with a function called RAD, which can help you spot highlighted objects that can either be moved or destroyed and certain objects can also appear shiny. That indicates that you can grapple on to it, whether to pull you in or swing off of. The controls do work well for the most part, allowing you to make precision platforming. If there's one thing I didn't enjoy about the first game is the stiff controls, so this is an excellent change for the better. The camera can get a bit frustrating, especially in tighter spaces. During combat you are able to lock-on to your enemies, but the lock on can be pretty frustrating especially when puzzle solving. The game isn't terribly long and you should be able to finish in about 6-8 hours, or even less depending on how good you are.
Hidden throughout each level are various shining artifacts. Collecting these will unlock extras, such as bonus videos, cheats and outfits. Once you complete a level, you can go back through it in a time trial mode, as well as in a new outfit. Plenty more secrets can be found in the Croft Manor, the game's training level. The extras are a pretty nice touch in the end.
The PS2 version isn't as powerful as the 360 in terms of graphics, but it is certainly a magnificent looking game showing us that the PS2 can still deliver. The environments have an exquisite attention to detail along with excellent lighting and atmosphere, so the variety of locations are a sight to look at. The character models are equally as impressive with excellent animations and facial expressions, though the mercenaries you fight throughout the game weren't given enough detail. But other than that the game looks great. The sound department is also pretty top notch. The music ranges from an orchestrated action movie feel, to a calm, atmospheric sound like you would expect to here in ancient ruins. It is very well done and very much suit the atmosphere of the game. The voice acting also isn't too bad, with Lara's beautiful British accent being a big standout (though her childhood self is underwhelming).
To sum things up:
PROS:
-Beautifully detailed graphics
-Good music
-Fun platforming
-Some clever puzzle solving
-Good control
-Interesting story
-Nice little extras
-For the most part good voice acting
CONS:
-Underwhelming weapon power
-Combat isn't as good as the rest of the game
-Targeting can be frustrating
-Underwhelming bosses
-It could be a little longer
-Some puzzles are easy
-Finicky camera
If you can look past the flaws found in "Tomb Raider: Legend", then I would recommend this, especially to fans of the series. Lara Croft is definitely a series I would want to continue playing.